Save Money on Subaru Outback Insurance in San Jose

If your goal is the lowest price, then the best way to find cheaper quotes for car insurance rates is to regularly compare prices from insurance carriers who provide car insurance in San Jose.

1. Try to learn a little about what is in your policy and the things you can change to prevent expensive coverage. Many rating criteria that cause rate increases such as accidents, traffic violations, and a substandard credit score can be improved by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. This article gives information to keep prices down and get additional discounts that may have been overlooked.
2. Request rate estimates from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can provide rates from a single company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can quote prices for a wide range of insurance providers.
3. Compare the new rates to your existing rates and determine if there is any savings. If you can save some money, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
4. Notify your company or agent to cancel your current coverage and submit payment and a signed application for the new policy. As soon as you have the new policy, store the proof of insurance certificate in an accessible location in your vehicle.

A good piece of advice is to try to compare identical deductibles and limits on every quote and and to analyze as many different companies as possible. This enables an accurate price comparison and the best price selection.

It’s easy to assume that auto insurance companies don’t want customers comparing rates. Insureds who get comparison quotes at least once a year will most likely switch to a new company because they have a good chance of finding a lower-priced policy. A study showed that drivers who shopped around annually saved $865 annually compared to policyholders who never shopped for cheaper rates.

If finding the best rates on Subaru Outback insurance in San Jose is the reason you’re reading this, learning how to quote and compare car insurance can help simplify the task of finding more affordable coverage.

Car insurance providers offering cheap price quotes in California

The companies shown below can provide free rate quotes in California. If more than one company is shown, we recommend you visit as many as you can to get a more complete price comparison.

Premium rates and analysis

The data table below covers different insurance rates for Subaru Outback models. Learning more about how insurance policy rates are calculated can help customers make smart buying decisions.

Table data assumes single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-vehicle, homeowner, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Rate quotes do not factor in garaging location in San Jose which can change rates noticeably.

Premiums by gender and age

The example below shows the difference between Subaru Outback car insurance rates for male and female drivers. The premiums are based on no accidents or driving violations, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

Do you need full coverage?

The diagram below shows the difference between Subaru Outback insurance costs with and without physical damage coverage, medical payments, and uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage. The information is based on no accidents, no driving violations, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

When to drop full coverage

There is no written rule to eliminate full coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the yearly cost for physical damage coverage is more than 10% of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.

For example, let’s pretend your Subaru Outback replacement value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most you would get paid by your company is $2,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If premiums are more than $200 annually for your policy with full coverage, then you might want to think about dropping full coverage.

There are some situations where dropping full coverage is not a good idea. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you have to maintain full coverage in order to prevent the bank from purchasing higher-priced coverage. Also, if your savings is not enough to buy a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should keep full coverage on your policy.

Determine discounts on San Jose car insurance

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you may qualify for discounts that you may not know about. Some discounts apply automatically at the time of purchase, but once in a while a discount must be manually applied before you get the savings. If you do not double check each discount possible, you are just wasting money.

• Seat Belt Discounts – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to use their safety belts could cut 10% or more on the premium charged for medical payments and/or PIP.
• Discounts for New Vehicles – Insuring a new Outback can save up to 30% because newer vehicles keep occupants safer.
• Drive Less and Save – Driving fewer miles can earn lower premium rates on the low mileage vehicles.
• Onboard Data Collection – People who choose to allow their company to scrutinize their driving habits by using a telematics device in their vehicle such as State Farm’s In-Drive might get better premium rates if they are good drivers.
• Multiple Vehicles – Buying a policy with multiple cars on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
• Distant College Student Discount – Children who are enrolled in higher education away from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be insured at a cheaper rate.
• Multi-policy Discount – When you have multiple policies with the same company they may give you a discount of at least 10% off all policies.

It’s important to note that most credits do not apply to the whole policy. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So even though you would think all the discounts add up to a free policy, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business. But all discounts will help lower the cost of coverage.

The example below compares Subaru Outback insurance rates with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The prices are based on a male driver, no accidents, no driving violations, California state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, marriage, multi-car, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-policy discounts applied.

Companies and some of their more popular discounts include:

• Travelers may have discounts that include early quote, save driver, new car, student away at school, multi-car, and IntelliDrive.
• 21st Century offers discounts for student driver, air bags, 55 and older, good student, homeowners, and teen driver.
• State Farm has discounts for Drive Safe & Save, anti-theft, driver’s education, Steer Clear safe driver discount, multiple policy, defensive driving training, and multiple autos.
• GEICO may include discounts for anti-theft, federal employee, anti-lock brakes, military active duty, and air bags.
• SAFECO offers discounts including anti-theft, multi-car, teen safe driver, accident prevention training, anti-lock brakes, and homeowner.
• AAA offers premium reductions for anti-theft, good student, multi-policy, AAA membership discount, and multi-car.

If you want affordable Subaru Outback insurance quotes, ask every insurance company which discounts you qualify for. All car insurance discounts might not be offered on policies everywhere. For a list of car insurance companies with discount car insurance rates in California, click here.

Situations that may require an agent’s advice

When choosing your policy for your personal vehicles, there really isn’t a best way to insure your cars. Every situation is different so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine if your situation may require specific advice.

• Is pleasure use cheaper than using my Subaru Outback to commute?
• How high should my uninsured/underinsured coverage be in California?
• Is extra glass coverage worth it?
• How much will a speeding ticket raise my rates?
• Is my Subaru Outback covered for flood damage?
• Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
• Which is better, split liability limits or combined limits?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Insurance agent or online?

Many people just want to sit down and talk to an agent and there is nothing wrong with that. The biggest benefit of getting free rate quotes online is that you can obtain cheap auto insurance rates but still work with a licensed agent. Supporting local insurance agents is still important in San Jose.

By using this short form, your information is transmitted to companies in San Jose that provide free San Jose car insurance quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. You won’t need to search for an agent due to the fact that quote results will go to the email address you provide. Get lower rates without the usual hassles of price shopping. If you have a need to get a rate quote from a specific auto insurance provider, don’t hesitate to visit that company’s website and fill out the quote form the provide.

Shown below are San Jose insurers that are able to give comparison quotes for Subaru Outback insurance in San Jose.

More San Jose agents

Finding a good company is decision based upon more than just a cheap quote. Here are some questions you should ask.

• What is their Better Business Bureau rating?
• Do they see any coverage gaps in your plan?
• Can they give you a list of client referrals?
• Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
• Do they offer claims assistance after hours?
• Are they giving you every discount you deserve?

Insurance coverages 101

Having a good grasp of a insurance policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find the usual coverages available from insurance companies.

Collision coverage – Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage protects against things such as colliding with a tree, sustaining damage from a pot hole and crashing into a building. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from older vehicles. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible on your Outback to save money on collision insurance.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – This protects you and your vehicle when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as damage to your Subaru Outback.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits (15/30/5), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked. Most of the time your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Liability coverages – This coverage provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property that is your fault. It protects YOU against other people’s claims. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. Your policy might show values of 15/30/5 that means you have a $15,000 limit per person for injuries, $30,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $5,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which combines the three limits into one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability can pay for claims such as emergency aid, attorney fees, loss of income, legal defense fees and medical expenses. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible. California requires drivers to carry at least 15/30/5 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.

The illustration below demonstrates why minimum state limits may not be enough.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for expenses like nursing services, surgery, doctor visits, rehabilitation expenses and ambulance fees. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to you and your occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible

Comprehensive insurance – This coverage will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things like rock chips in glass, damage from flooding and falling objects. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Cheap rates are available

We just showed you some good ideas how to get a better price on Subaru Outback insurance in San Jose. It’s most important to understand that the more providers you compare, the better likelihood of getting cheaper San Jose car insurance quotes. You may even discover the most savings is with the smaller companies. Some small companies may often insure only within specific states and give better rates compared to the large companies like State Farm and Allstate.

As you quote San Jose car insurance, make sure you don’t skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many cases, an accident victim reduced physical damage coverage and discovered at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at the best possible price.

Budget-friendly car insurance in San Jose is definitely available from both online companies and with local San Jose insurance agents, so you need to quote San Jose car insurance with both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some car insurance companies may not have the ability to get a quote online and these small, regional companies prefer to sell through independent agents.

Additional resources

• Senior Drivers (Insurance Information Institute)
• What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Young Drivers in San Jose? (FAQ)
• What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Drivers Over Age 50 in San Jose? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for Drivers Under 25 in San Jose? (FAQ)
• What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for a Jeep Grand Cherokee in San Jose? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for Teenage Males in San Jose? (FAQ)
• Understanding Rental Car Insurance (Insurance Information Institute)
• Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
• Top Signs Your Brakes are Giving Out (State Farm)
• Things to Know Before you Cancel Insurance (Allstate)